Change-speed gearing for mixers



Oct. 3, 1950 F. R. CHESTER CHANGE SPEED GEARING FOR MIXERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. l2, 1946 .s ,ya

INVENTOR. fTeAA/A: 2. Cna-.fraue- ,4free/Vey Oct. 3, 1950 F. R. CHESTER CHANGE SPEED GEARING FOR MIXERs s sheets-sheet 2 Filed Nov. l2, 1946 IN VEN TOR. ff'eAA/A: 1 6fm-.free

,4free/ver Oct. 3, 1950 F. R. CHESTER 2,524,425

CHANGE SPEED GEARING FOR MIXERS Filed Novj. l2, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 4free/var 8 INVEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 3 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFME 2,524,425 CHANGE-SPEED GEARING FOR MIXERS Frank R. Chester, Santa Monica, Calif. Application November 12, 1946, Serial No. 709,289

(Cl. 'i4-812) 6 Claims.

My invention relates to a mixer, or other device, particularly adapted for impelling operating members at different speeds.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a mixer for domestic or similar use in which the mixing means may be moved about in various directions in the receptacle containing the product to be mixed, stirred, or agitated.

Another important object of this invention is to provide novel means of supporting the mixing means, so that it may be conveniently manually directed in the position desired.

An important object also of this invention is to provide a mechanism for a mixer, or similar device, whereby the mixing, stirring, or agitating element, or elements, may be rotated or impelled at different speeds without change oi gear or other operative connecting mechanism, and whereby such change of speed is effected by merely reversing the drive means.

A further important object of this invention is to provide novel, simple, and economical means for operatively connecting the drive means to the mixing, stirring, or agitating element, or elements, for operating the same at different speeds, and connecting or operating means of the class which will not readily get out of order.

A still further important object of this invention is to provide novel and simple gear means for operating a mixing, stirring, or agitating element, or elements, at different speeds, and novel and simple means for connecting the same to such element, or elements, when the drive means is reversed.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a mixer unit which may be readily and freely manipulated in or by the hand of the user.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, I have Vdevised a mixer or similar device of this class having certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, which form a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of my invention incorporated in a food mixer, portions there- 4of being broken away and in section to facilitate the illustration;

Fig. 2 is a top View thereof,

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view thereof, taken through 3-3 of Fig. 1,'

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the motor for driving the mixer, and showing operating elements connected thereto, and also show,- ing portions broken away and in section to facilitate the illustration;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view thereof, taken through 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view thereof, taken through 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional 'l-l of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly section, similar to Fig. 4, showing my device a slightly modified form of construction;` and, Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional View thereof, taken through 9-3` of Fig. 8. i

My device, as shown in the drawings, is supported on a support or frame consisting .of a large base I, a pedestal 2 extending upwardly from one end or side of the base, and an overhanging arm 3 extending laterally from the upper end of the pedestal and in opposed relation to the base l.

From this arm is supported or suspended the drive means, which is in the form of a motor 4, the support or suspension being by means off a gimbal construction, whereby the drive means, or motor, and the operating therefrom, may be readily swung in various directions.

The essential element of the gimbal or gimbal construction is a semi-circular yoke 5 having intermediate its ends a stub rock shaft 5a, which is rotatably mounted in a horizontal bearing constituting the arms 3. The motor il, the axis of which is normally substantially vertical, has trunnions 4a at its diametrically opposite sides, which are rockingly mounted in diametrically opposed recesses Sib located at the ends of the arms of the yoke 5.

The recesses 5b are open at their upper ends, so that the motor may be readily removed, and at any time, from its support on the yoke by m'erely lifting the motor therefrom, thereby providing ready and sanitary means of cleaning the operating elements carried thereby.

The trunnions 4a are elongated vertically beyond and above their axis, as indicated by 4b, and such elongations serve as stops for preventing the complete rotation of the motor aboutA a horizontal axis, or for limiting the amplitude of the rocking of the motor. Likewise the yoke,5 has a stop 5c extending above the shaft 5EL for in in turned, shifted, or

view thereof, taken through elements extending vand 32 are splined, and on these preventing rotation of the yoke or limiting the amplitude of rocking ci the yoke 5 about the axis of the shaft 5e, the stop 5C being limited by engagement with the opposite side portions oi a recess 3a provided at the upper portion of the bearing and at the end nearest the body oi the yoke 5. Such provision of the limit means on the bearing 3, the yoke 5, and the motor fl limits the .extentof the swinging oi the motor in all directions on or with respect to the arm` 3.

The drive means or motor is provided with a `pair of horizontally spaced apart and parallel downwardly directed Operatingstirring, or agitating members or elements, or beaters ii and I2, above referred to, which may be constructed similarly to those used in ordinary food mixers or egg beaters. These members or elements il and l2 are operated by the motor il, as will be hereinafter more specifically described. The mounting of the motor 6l, as described. above, permits these operating members or elements il and i2 to be moved freely in all directions, so as to mix, stir, or agitate the product in all portions of a receptacle R placed therebelow, or

between the spaced feet l2L oi the base i of the support. That is, the members or elements il and l2 may be freely swung about in the receptacle, either automatically or manually, as desired, the former being eiected by the construction of the elements il' and l2 and mechanism thereof.

The motor l has an axial shaft 2l having a worm 22 at its lower end. This worm meshes with and drives a worm gear 22e, which is secured to a countershaft 2t revolubiy mounted at the lower portion of the housing of the motor and to one side of the longitudinal axis thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. This countershaft is rotatably mounted at its ends in cup bearings pressed into the housing, balls 25 being positioned within the bearings at the ends of the countershait to take up the end thrust thereof.

yOn the countershait and near the bearing ends thereo,F are secured worms 2l and 28 which may have the same or opposite direction threads, the former being shown, but the worm 2l preferably is provided with a single thread while the worm 28 has a multiple, preferably a triple or quadruple, thread.

At the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the motor are spindles 2S and whose axes are parallel to the axis of the motor shait. These spindles extend downwardly from the housing member or cap lo secured to the lower end oi the housing of the motor. The operating niembers or elements il and i2, above described, are detachably secured at their upper ends to the depending ends of the spindles 29. and 38.

Near the inner ends of the spindles 29; and 3U are rotatably mounted worm gears 3l and 32, which mesh with and are continuously operated by the worms 2l' and 2S, respectively. The lower ends of the hubs of the worm gears 3i splined portions are slidably mounted over-riding clutch members 33 and Sli which consist essentially of discs having angularly downwardly directed lugs 33a and 34a, which, when the worm gears 'il and 2,8 have the same direction threads, extend in the opposite angular direction downwardly from the main portions of the clutch discs, as shown best in Fig. 5.

On the-'spindles 2E! and 30, inwardly from the .housing cap lc and below the clutch discs 33 and 34, are spur gears 35 anad t@ which mesh the drive same end or" the motor with each other, so that the spindles 26 and 3U are rotated at the same speed in opposite directions. The lugs and Sila may enter perforations 35a and 35a in the gears 35 and in order to rotate the same, or they may rest and slide freely upon the upper surfaces or" these gears. Only the lugs of one clutch disc enter the recesses or perforations of its associated gear, while the lugs of the other clutch ride upon the other or its associated gear.

The clutch discs may the gears 35 and 35, but there may be provided light coil springs around the hubs of the worm gears t i and 552 for exerting a slight downward pressure upon the clutch discs, for forcing the same against the spur gears 35 and 36. li desired, the clutches may be forced into or out of engagement i ,i their respective gears by any of the well known or recognized methods, not here shown.

As the motor shaft 2i is rotated, the countershaft 2li is also rotated through the worm E?. and the worm gear E3 causing the worms 21 and 2B on the countershalt simultaneously to rotate the worm gears 3i' and As the lugs 33a of the clutch disc are forced into the recesses 35a of the gear 35, when the motor shaft in one direction, the spindle 29 is rest by gravity upon 1s rotated rotated in the saine direction, while the spindle Bil is rotated in the opposite direction through the medium of the intermeshing spur gears 35 and 36. At the saine time the lugs tile of the clutch 3a ride upon the spur gear 3S. As the motor shaft is reversed, the lugs 3,421' are vforced into the recesses ci the gear rotating the spindle 3b in the same direction, as well as the spindle 29, by reason oi the interrneshing gears and 36.

At the lower end oi the motor housing is grease or oil chamber the grease or is retained therein an axially ccmpressible sealing ring 3S around the motor shalt El, and by similar sealing rings around the spindles 29 and 3i).

Because the spindles E9 and 33, anc` the operating elements il and respectively connected thereto, are rotated in reverse directions, the elements il and i3 may have intermeshing beater elements at their lower ends, as in conventional egg-beater construction.

rThe motor is reversed by a switch provided at the upper end ol the motor. This switch, which is shown diagranimatically in Fig. 7, is provided with'rotatable contacts and A2 insulated from each other supported at the under side of a rotatable cap it at the upper end of the motor housing. of these contacts have diametrically opposed, contact fingers. At the upper end oi the rnotor are contact button-s .M and liti, connected to one conductor oi a source of current, and an arcuate contact A?, connected to the other conductor il@ of the source. At the e provided other arcuch are connected, re-

ate contacts and spectively, with the brushes and 52 in engagement with the commutator or the motor.

When the cap i3 the contacts si and 42 are in the solid-line positions, the conductors 48 and M5 are connected to the contacts 453 and 50 for rotating the motor in one direction. Shifting of the contacts and to the dotted-line positions connect t--e same conductors to the contacts 5@ and ie in the reverse order iorl reversing the motor.

The upper ends of the operating members or elements H and I2 extend axially into recesses, at the lower ends of the spindles 29 and 3|), as indicated by 29a in Fig. 4. The shanks of the operating members may be upset to provide keys, as indicated by Ha and I 2a in Fig. 1, and these keys may extend into slots at the lower ends of the spindles, as indicated by 29b and Bb in Fig. 1. Around the shanks of the operating members or elements are threaded caps or coupling members El, which are secured over the threaded lower ends of the spindles 29 and 30, for removably securing the operating members or elements to the spindles.

The modied structure of Figs. 8 and 9 show spur gears 'Il and l2 connected to spindles 'I3 and 14, but these gears are only indirectly connected by an idler gear 15. Such construction necessitates the separation of the operating, agitating, or beater elements 16 and 11, so that they do not intermesh, as shown in Fig. 8.

In this instance, the worms on the shaft 24 are of right and left-hand, the right-hand worm being designated 3i and the left-hand 82. The worm 82 is also of multiple pitch, as described in connection with the structure of Figs. 4 and 5, so that the worm gear 84 drivenI by the worm 82, rotates at a considerably greater speed than the gear 83 driven by the worm 8|. Because the worm gears B3 and 84 are rotated in opposite directions, the clutch discs 78 and 19 have lugs which extend in the same direction, as shown in Fig. 9. Thus, when the motor is rotated in one direction and the clutch disc 'I8 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the spindles 'i3 and 14 are also rotated in the same direction, by reason of the intermediate gear l5. At the same time the clutch disc 19 is rotated in the opposite direction and the lugs thereof, when they rest upon the gear 12, slide around in the opposite direction of the gear. When the motor is reversed, the clutch discs I8 and 'I9 are reversed and rotated in the direction of the dotted arrows, causing the lugs of the clutch disc 'I9 Vto rotate the spindle 74 in the direction of the arrow shown on the spindle, that aforementioned.

the gear 1|. Thus, the operation of the clutch discs with respect to the spur gears connecting the spindles is similar to that described above in connection with the structure shown in Figs. 4' and 5.

he operating, agitating, or beater mits the latter to be extended at an angle from the motor housing instead of being extended straight or directly therefrom as shown, such angular extension not being shown.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, a reversible drive means, a pair of operating elements extending therefrom, gear means connecting the operating elements to operate in unison, operatinor gear means connected to the drive means and `atable to one of the operating elements,

\ ng means being rotatable in one diating the operating elements at eed, other operating gear `smaller speed ratio than the 'countershaft and rotatable in 6 means connected to the drive means and connectable to the other operating element, said other operating means being rotatable in the opposite direction for operating the operating elements at a greater speed when the drive means is reversed, means for connecting either of the operating gear means to the operating elements when the drive means is rotated in one or the opposite direction, and means for optionally reversing the drive means.

2. In a means of the class described, a. reversi- `ble drive means having a drive shaft, an operating member, a countershaft, a worm and gear' means connecting the drive shaft to the countershaft, worm and gear means connected to the countershaft and rotatable in one direction for impelling the operating member at a predetermined speed, other worm and gear means, of last mentioned means, also connected to the countershaft and rotatable in the opposite direction when the drive shaft is reversed, and means for connecting said other worm and gear means to said operating member for impelling the operating member at a greater speed upon said reversal of the drive shaft, and means for optionally reversing the drive means.

3. In a means of the class described, a reversible drive means having a drive shaft, an operating member, a countershaft, a worm and gear means connecting the drive shaft to the countershaft, worm and gear means connected to the one direction for impelling the operating member at a predetermined speed, an over-riding clutch arranged to connect the latter worm and gear means to the operating member for impelling the latter at said predetermined speed, other worm and gear means, of smaller speed ratio than the last mentioned means, also connected to the countershaft and adapted to be rotated in the opposite direction when the drive shaft is reversed, another over-riding clutch connected to the latter worm and gear means, and means connecting the latter over-riding clutch -to the operating member for impelling the latter at a greater speed upon said reversal of the drive shaft, and means for optionally reversing the drive means.

4. In a means of the class described, a reversible drive means having a drive shaft, a pair of operating members extending therefrom, a countershaft, a worm and gear means connecting the drive shaft to the countershaft, a worm and gear means connected to the countershaft, an overriding clutch for connecting the latter worm and gear means directly to one of the operating means for impelling the same, a gear means connecting the operating members whereby the other operating member is connected to and driven by said one operating member, other worm and gear means connected to the countershaft, another oVer-riding clutch directly connecting the latter worm and gear means to said other operating member for impelling both operating members at a greater speed, and means for optionally reversing the drive means.

5. In a means of the class described, a reversible drive means for a drive shaft, a pair of operating members, means operatively connecting the operating members,` a countershaft, a worm and gear means connecting the drive shaft to the countershaft, worm and gear means connecting the countershaft to one of the operating members and rotatable in one direction for impelling the operating members at a predetermined speed,

otherA worm and gear means, of smaller speed ratio than the last mentioned means, connecting the conntershaft to the other operating member and adapted to be rotated in the opposite direction,'vvhen the drive shaft is reversed, for impelling the operating members at a greater speed, and means for optionally reversing the drive means.

6. In a means of the class described, a reversible drive means for a drive shaft, a pair of operating members, means operatively connecting the operating members, a countersha'lt, a Worm and gear means connecting the drive shaft to the countershaft, Worm and gear means Vconnected to the countershaft and rotatable in one direction for impelling the operating members a predetermined speed, an over-riding clutch arranged to connect the latter Worm and gears means to one of the operating members for impelling the operating members at said predetermined speed, other Worm and gear means, of smaller speed ratio than the last mentioned means, connected to the countershaft and adapted to be rotated in the opposite direction, when the drive shaft is reversed, another over-riding clutch arranged to connect the latter Worm and gear means to the other operating member for impelling tbe operating members at a greater speed, and means for optionally reversing the drive means.

FRANK R. CHESTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 599,508 Le Fevre Feb. 22, 1898 1,169,902 Woodrow Feb. 1, 1916 1,552,515 Sternkop Sept. 8, 1925 1,905,114 Lauterbur et al. Apr. 25, 1933 2,013,887 Jeppsson Sept. 10, 1935 2,299,563 Carlson et al Oct. 20, 1942 2,325,434 Stiles July 27, 1943 2,372,667 Forsyth et al Apr. 3, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 138,113 Austria June 25, 1934 

